Many women are seeking relief from hormonal imbalance today are flooding their doctors with questions and seeking some clarity as they undertake to find the right treatment for their condition. Celebrity endorsements of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy have suddenly sparked interest among women. This is a great event as more and more women are becoming aware of their condition and are opening their doors to newer methods of treatments.
Here are a few of the basic information you might want to know about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy:
What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a treatment prescribed to patients showing symptoms of hormonal imbalance. It is a medical treatment that uses hormones that are identical or an exact replica of the hormones that are naturally produced by the body. Since they are indistinguishable from human hormones, they are metabolized by the body without any side effects.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be either estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, DHEA, melatonin or the mixture of any or all these hormones. Formulation of which is dependent on the individual’s needs as may be determined through different level testing methods.
What are bioidentical hormones made of?
Hormones classified under bioidentical hormone replacement therapy are made from plant components like soy beans and wild yams. They are processed by highly trained compounding pharmacists and structured in laboratories, as mentioned earlier, to take the form of real human hormones.
In contrast, synthetic hormones used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are usually made from pregnant mare’s urine. They are different from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy because they are not identical to the hormones produced by the body. They have altered molecular structures so they are not metabolized by the body perfectly. Using synthetic hormones can lead to many adverse side effects that can cause permanent damage to the health.
Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is extremely safe. However, when taken in excessive dosages or for purposes other than what it is intended for, it could lead to serious adverse effects.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy was primarily developed for the augmentation of low hormone levels in the body. It is specifically for those who have hormonal deficiencies. In some cases, however, these hormones are abused by individuals for physical sculpting purposes. The trouble arises when the hormone levels of the body are balanced and still other hormones are introduced. Symptoms of estrogen overdose may include nausea, vomiting, withdrawal bleeding while overdose of progesterone could lead to fatigue, irritability, headache, back pain, dizziness, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, breast pain and viral infection. Testosterone, on the other hand, when taken in excess could bring about depression, headaches, acne, skin irritations and even stroke.
Generally, however, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is safe. Many researches have been conducted on the safety of these bioidentical hormones and the results proved that they are not only safe but when used properly have a positive impact on individual cases of osteoporosis and prostate cancer.
Are Bioidentical hormones approved and regulated by FDA?
Although, compounded hormones formulated in compounding pharmacies do not require FDA approval, rest assured that the components used in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are approved by the FDA. It is also noteworthy to mention that all compounding pharmacies are under the jurisdiction and regulation of state and local pharmacy boards so the facilities used are guaranteed trustworthy.
How long will it take to see results from using Bioidentical Hormones?
The duration of the results of bioidentical hormone therapy varies from person to person. Generally, however, patients can expect to see results within three to six months. This is the amount of time required by the body in the proper balancing of hormones.
Osteoporosis can be a silent and deadly disease, which often lies undiscovered for a long time. Not only is this in itself a dangerous condition, the fatality rate associated with osteoporosis-related fractures is shockingly high! Raloxifene can drastically reduce these risks by preventing and treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It helps preserve and increase bone mass and has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of fractures. And unlike hormone-based medication, Raloxifene is a lot less prone to negative side effects. You might be getting a little older, but your bones don’t have to.
Research figures show that more than half of all men over the age of 50 suffer from BPH or Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, a condition characterized by an enlarge prostate. This condition can lead to all kinds of unwanted symptoms, such as difficulty urinating and frequent or nighttime urination. The larger the prostate gets, the more it will block the urinary tract and drastically worsen the initial symptoms over the course of only a few years. Generic Avodart (Dutasteride) can help shrink the prostate, relieve BPH-related symptoms and reduce the risk of complete urinary retention or even surgery. As an added bonus, Generic Avodart (Dutasteride) may also help with hair growth in patients who suffer from male pattern baldness.
Roughly 50% of all men develop the first signs of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) by the age of 50.
Roughly 50% of all men develop the first signs of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) by the age of 50. Half of those men then go on to develop the full-blown disease and suffer through much pain and discomfort. Generic Proscar (Finasteride) helps treat and control BPH by shrinking the enlarged prostate, improving urinary flow and treating various other symptoms associated with the disease. Moreover, Generic Proscar (Finasteride) may make surgery unnecessary and can also be used as a preventative measure against prostate cancer.
Generic Flomax (Tamsulosin) is a selective Alpha Blocker for men who have difficulty urinating due to BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). Generic Flomax (Tamsulosin) helps by relaxing the veins and arteries so blood can more easily pass through, while at the same time loosening the muscles in the prostate to fascilitate urination.
